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Mahela Jayawardene quits as T20 captain

The Sri Lankan veteran took the call after his team lost to West Indies in the World Twenty20 final in Colombo.

Colombo: Veteran Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene has on Sunday announced that he will not captain his country in the Twenty20 format any more. The 35-year-old, who has led Sri Lanka in 19 Twenty20 internationals out of which he won 13 matches, took the decision shortly after West Indies' 36-run win in the ICC World Twenty20 final at the Premadasa.

"Just one announcement guys, I have had a chat with the selectors and I have decided to step down as a captain of the Sri Lankan T20 team after the end of the tournament," Jayawardene said in a matter-of-factly manner at the end of the post-match press conference here.

"I have taken this decision so that the selection committee can groom someone younger for this job," he added.

The 35-year-old also informed that he will "assess his future as captain" in the ODIs and Tests after Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in coming December. "Obviously, I will remain captain in the Tests and ODIs till the Australia series in December and then take a call on my future as captain," he said.

When questioned whether he will continue playing twenty20 international, he smiled and replied: "It depends whether the new captain wants me in the team."